A Palliative Approach to Management of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis and Malignant Ascites

Abstract

In addition to severe, life-limiting complications such as malignant bowel obstruction, fistulae, and malignant ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis frequently causes life-impacting symptoms such as pain, nausea, anorexia, cachexia, and fatigue. A variety of medical, interventional, and surgical therapies are now available for management of both complications and symptoms. Although surgery in this population is often associated with a relatively high risk of morbidity and mortality, operative intervention can offer effective palliative treatment in appropriately selected patients. Early involvement of palliative care specialists as part of a multidisciplinary team is essential to providing optimal, holistic care of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Keywords: Cancer; Malignancy; Malignant ascites; Malignant bowel obstruction; Oncology; Palliative care; Peritoneal carcinomatosis.